POETRY KIT NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2023 
http://www.poetrykit.org/newsletter.htm  
on this link you will find 
POETRY KIT NEWSLETTER – Competitions closing soon.
CAUGHT IN THE NET 
BOOK OF THE MONTH 

THE POETRY KIT 11th INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION 2024
Our competition this year is open to poems from around the world written in English and which can be on any subject or theme.  There are no style or length restrictions, but it should be stressed that a short poem is just as likely to be selected as a longer one. 
Prize values   1st £220  2nd £60  3rd £30
Entry is by email to [log in to unmask]  after an appropriate fee is paid by Pay Pal to the account of [log in to unmask]
all entries must be received before midnight 15th January 2024
Entries received after this time will be discarded. All entries are judged anonymously so please do not put any identifying features on the poems.
Entry fees are as follows;  1 poem    £3.50   3 Poems  £8.00   5 poems  £10
Competition Judge;  James Bain
James is a spoken word and visual artist, from Glasgow, now living in the North West of England. In 2018 he was poet in residence at Formby Shore. His poetry from this time is collected in  "The New Bridge a collection of poems".

We have a host of courses starting in November - For a full list of available short courses see https://www.poetrykit.org/pkcourse/pkcourses_short.htm 

Our longer courses are also available.  For details of the Poetry Foundation Course,  Mentoring and Masterclass programs see https://www.poetrykit.org/pkcourse/pkcourses.htm
These courses are always heavily subscribed so book early if you want to take one of these courses. 

UPCOMING SHORT COURSES
can be booked by paying the fee using the PayPal link below the required course.
 
SHORT COURSES FOR November - 6TH – 27TH November 2023
 
Animals in Poetry  NEW)
This short course will look at the role that animals can play in poetry.  Poetry about animals and poetry that uses animals as devices to say something about the human condition.  We will look at wildlife generally and how it is used in poetry.   The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 – 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7CFSRFJPV4GHU 
 
Puzzles in Poetry 
This three-week course will look at the different ways that poems can be used to play tricks on the reader. From enigmatic content to puzzles that depend on the layout and form of the poem.  Poetry has a long history of being used in this way and even by code makers.  But here we will be looking at the way that this can add depth and interest to the poem. The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 - 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TUKZRRRJC9VMY 
 
Unexpected Poetry
This three week course looks at the way we can use unexpected connections to develop poetry.  We will look at different starting points and where they take us.  Learn to recognise the fundamental sparks that can set us on the road to unexpected poetry.  . The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30  - 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2GARS87FM37PN 
 
Seasons
Poets have always been inspired by the seasons.  And the subtle changes they bring stand as metaphor and symbols for events in life as well as presenting colour and background.  This course will look at how the poet can use the season to best advantage and deliver poems that engage with the seasons, and how the season can add layers of meaning in a poem.  The course is conducted over 3 weeks at a cost of £30 - 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FP3EWJSW7ZUQ8 
 
The Right Word
Mark Twain said “To get the right word in the right place is a rare achievement.” And it is true that a well-chosen word can bring a poem to life and a poorly chosen word can stifle it.  In this course we will be looking at how the choice of a single word can set the tone and mood in a poem, and even be used to engage with a subtext that create layers in a poem’s understanding.  The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 –  
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DBS2BDHTT3W36    
Developing the Craft
This three-week course looks at developing a number of craft elements that will help the poet to produce modern freeform poetry.  Understanding how and when to use some poetic devices that will engage with the reader can be the key to writing engaging poetry.  The cost of this course is £30 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WENDB4T6SAGCS 
 
Writing Ekphrastic Poetry
The aim of this course is to look at the different approaches that can be taken to bring new insights to poems that engage with a piece of visual art.  During the course poets will be asked to respond to a series of paintings using a variety of techniques. Poems will be workshopped and full feedback given. The cost of this course is £30 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=H8J5AMXL8FTFN
 
Writing in traditional forms
This three week course looks at new modern ways to use traditional forms.  These forms can be ways for poets to grow the tools available and to find new ways to say what they want.  These forms can produce memorable and exciting ways to explore modern topics.  This is a challenging course that asks poets to look at some traditional forms in new ways. The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 –
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=GY3FNDXNXT3H6
 
Poetry and the Natural world
This is a short online course for poets who want to look at the ways to engage with  the naural world, and look at the impact of human activities on the world around us.  On this course we will move from the romantic view of nature to the urban landscape and to the impact of human activity. We will be looking at and writing poetry relevant to our changing world.  The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 –
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2XUS74ASPPDZ6
 
Poetry and Science 
This short online course looks at how poetry can interface with different sciences and provide a way to use exciting ideas in poetry, and how poetry can interpret a scientific world view.   Starting with geology, and onto physics and astronomy.  You do not need a scientific background just an interest in finding new ways to develop poetry. The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 –
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2RJQ37ZF587LW
 
Images, short forms, and haiku
This course looks at the role played by images in poetry.  It considers their use in short forms and how they can be used to develop engaging and memorable poems.  As part of this process, we will be looking at the opportunities and challenges presented by short forms including haiku.  The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 -
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=W48NLELP3TB92 

Strategies for Writing Poetry
What do you do when you hit a point when the ideas and ability that you rely on for writing poetry dry up.  This happens to most writers from time to time, and on this course, we will look at proven strategies to get past this point.  This is a course suitable for everyone even if you do not have a problem as these are strategies to help approach poetry in new ways.  The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 –
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YSCXM42LTKWGU

Adventures in Poetry
This short course looks at ways to approach poetry and to consider it in a wider context.  We will look at new ways to engage with poetry and the reader.  To present poetry in new ways and to bring a freshness to your writing. The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 –
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B8CSV48PN25S4

The language of shape
Lines and Stanza.  Understanding the way structure influences the way the poem is received.  Different ways to engage with line and shape in poetry.  Using end stopping and enjambment and caesura to add interest and structure in a poem.  Standard and non-standard punctuation in modern poetry.   The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 –  https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YRKQFPDXJT2VY
 
Phycogeography and Place in Poetry
This short course looks at ways in which the poet and the reader are influenced by place.  How the urban environment can feed into the poetry and becomes an essential setting.  We also look at the way place influences the interpretation of the poem and how to develop a sense of place in poetry.  The cost of the course is £30
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=3R9FUX9W5R952 
 
SPECIAL OFFER
Book any two short courses for £50 using the link below, and then please write to us at [log in to unmask] to let us know which two courses you would like.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6ESMVNLE4NG6Q 
 
Reprise a short course for £20
Many of our students want to repeat one of our short courses and it seems unfair to ask for a full fee so if you want to repeat a course and submit new poems for the tasks then it will cost only £20 using the payment link. Do remember to write and let us know which course you want.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K77BNVPJN2LX4 

DECEMBER POETRY WORKSHOP
Please note that this is a four week course from 1st to  31st December 2023
4 weeks of holiday poetry fun to fit around your shopping and holiday preparations.  Poetry exercises that will inspire you to engage with the season like never before. We will be looking to develop poems from the small events and the large, from the personal to nature and the time of year. This will be a fun workshop with the serious intent to produce some fine poetry.   The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 – 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=989FB56VMMRA6  
 
Because we appreciate your support the fee for the December Workshop is reduced to £20 for anyone who has taken one of our other courses at any time. For the reduced fee please use this link.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=JBGY8WSKQS96Q 
 
OTHER SHORT COURSES FOR DECEMBER
6th – 27th  December 2023
 
Poetic Devices 
In this short course we will be looking at a variety of poetic devices that can be used to enhance your poetry and add layers of interest and musicality to it.  Poetic devices when properly used and understood  can help make the poem sound more natural for the voice and more in keeping with  a strong poetic.  The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 - https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=D2S89VJS959LU  
 
Finding Inspiration
This three week course looks at finding inspiration and ways engage with different subjects.   We will look at ways to prepare and collect thoughts into a start point for a poem and strategies to develop poems from a variety of possibilities. The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 – 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6TGBU5NTZ6ZG2  
 
Journeys
This three-week course will be looking at Journeys and how they can inform all aspects of poetry.  From actual journeys to new places, through embodying journey as a metaphor to engaging with the journey through life.  There are many ways to approach this, and we will be looking at many of those and seeing how the ideas can be used in our poems.   The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 – 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=B2MNJRGF89RJ8  
 
Prose Poetry and Flash Fiction
This short course will explore both Prose Poetry and introduce Flash Fiction.  These two discipline areas have grown in interest over the past years and many magazines publish pieces alongside other styles of poetry creating even more interest in them.  Both are here to stay so this course will provide an introduction to these exciting forms. The course will be conducted over three weeks, at a cost of £30 - 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9TF6MUCFPSUWL   
 
A Cabinet of Curiosities
Objects in Poetry This course will be focusing on objects and how they can be used in poetry.  We will look at strategies to help the poet to use objects and to look at juxtaposition and metaphor.  The importance of an “object” as a symbol or metaphor and how this can enhance a poem.  The cost of the course is £30
 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=KX9TAXT6ESVVA  
 
Sense and nonsense the poetry of the surreal     
Surreal or nonsense poetry has a strong history in the development of poetry.  Its place today is less sure but this course seeks to introduce poets to the ideas surrealism and how these can benefit a poem.  On this course we will look at the origins of the surreal and how it is still applicable and can produce some spectacular results.  The cost of this course is £30
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=74D4NQ8PMBEM8   
New Poetry Workshop
This three week course looks at new ways to find subjects, write, edit and publish poems.  This is a challenging course that asks poets to look at these issues in a new way. Ideal for those wanting to write more and to have more tools available. The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 – https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=92UM85FEPMN9Y  
 
Poetry in changing times 
This is a short online course for poets who want to look at the way their poetry can stay relevant in changing times.  We will be looking at relevance, authenticity and voice as cornerstones for producing poems that engage with change. We will look at personal, scientific and imagined responses.   The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 -
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=AMXZ6LGUKBKYU  
 
Ekphrastic Poetry- Part 2
This is a continuation course from our original Ekphrastic Poetry Course. The aim of this course is to look at the different approaches that can be taken to bring new insights to poems that engage with a broader range of Ekphrastic poetry.  During the course poets will be asked to respond to a series of paintings using a variety of techniques. Poems will be workshopped, and full feedback given. The cost of this course is £30 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8MNJMWTSYSBBW  
 
Poetry and Music
This course looks at the interaction between poetry and music, how music can inspire poetry and the use of poetry as lyric.  The musical properties of poetry, rhythm and line choices, and new ways to use sonic devices in poetry.  We will be looking for many opportunities to develop these ideas into poems. Full feedback and help will be given during the course. The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 – 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EFGXHMJ9KG8NY 
 
Writing Poetry for Children
This is a short online course for poets who would like to write poetry for children. On this workshop course we will look at what works in poetry for children and what does not.  Language and imagery, metaphor and how children see the world.  Holding a young person’s interest and storytelling through poetry. The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 – 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=VS2TUQGPXYQFS  
 
Poems in the everyday
The poet interacts with the world in a variety of ways. This short course we will look at how the poet can interact with the world and find poems in everyday events. .We also look at journaling and notebooks.+ The course will be conducted online over three weeks, at a cost of £30 – 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YBZH2UU6PN6WG   
 
Journals, Diaries and Dreams  
This three-week course looks at notebooks and journals as a key resource for writers and poets. Learn more about how these can be used and how to use them more effectively, recording events and snapshots, scrapbooking and dreams and how to use these in poetry.   The course costs £30 
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=729CEH4CJ2LG4  
Sonnet workshop
This short 3 week course looks at the sonnet in its traditional form and how poets are rediscovering it as a vehicle in contemporary poetry. This has alwys been a popular form but in many ways not fully understood.  This course will focus on producing sonnets and discovering possibilities in the form that have  not been considered. The cost of this course costs £30.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DN8LBA3KTDN62 
 
Metaphor and revelation in poetry
This 3 week course looks at the transformative qualities of metaphor in poetry.  The way metaphor can be used in exciting ways to bring new revelation and understanding in a poem.  We will look at metaphor different ways and see how important it is.  The cost of this course costs £30.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=55WBNXUYUL8CJ  
 
Exploring symbols and Myth
Poems can use myth and symbols to explore modern themes. Myths and symbols come from our joint experience and can be used to add deeper meaning in a poem.  This three week course will focus on understanding and incorporating these devices in poetry. The cost of this course cost is £30.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=Q9WDCYBE22TR6  
 
 
SPECIAL OFFER
Book any two short courses for £50 using the link below, and then please write to us at [log in to unmask] to let us know which two courses you would like.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6ESMVNLE4NG6Q  
 
Reprise a short course for £20
Many of our students want to repeat one of our short courses and it seems unfair to ask for a full fee so if you want to repeat a course and submit new poems for the tasks then it will cost only £20 using the payment link. Do remember to write and let us know which course you want.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K77BNVPJN2LX4

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